Why Messi's New Look Will Save Men's Hair

Step aside, ‘90s era Al Pacino. Image: Jaime Reina/AFP

Hair’s the last thing you’d think of when you hear “Lionel Messi.”

And yet, the evolution of the guy’s grooming moves could fill a textbook.

But unlike the untold trajectory of football’s greatest talent, it wasn’t always good for Messi’s hair—a few flashes of young brilliance notwithstanding.

Go back to 2005, during his debut with storied Spanish club, F.C. Barcelona, when the Argentine’s mop couldn’t decide whether it was London mod or a veritable mullet. We’d have endorsed going full-out on either, but alas, the indecision. In 2006, though, he let it go right down to the shoulders, a look that would've made any metal artist blush. It was a sign of things to come.

Today, the diminutive athlete’s name precedes him, as it should. He’s done in soccer what no one’s ever fathomed, and he’s smashed and set every record there is in his 15 year path, collecting a staggering sixth Balon d’Or last January for his contributions to the 2019 calendar year (including this scud missile of a free kick). On top of that, he’s going on 33 and hasn’t let up one bit. And when it’s brought up to him, he shrugs it all off.

Messi’s is the type of humility his disciples always cite in their online feuds with admirers of Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese wonder who plies his trade at Italian club Juventus, and whose jaw-dropping exploits over the last decade render him Messi’s only arch nemesis (even though both seem to get on just fine, not to mention Ronaldo’s son loves the guy).

But when it comes to his hair, don’t be fooled; Messi’s wisened up in the last few years, and he’s taken some big boy risks, too. Remember when he went Sid Vicious in 2016 and bleached it all? Nevermind that he paired it with a thick beard, one he held for five whole years.

Say what you want about taste, but it was bold for a quiet man.

Once the roots grew out and 2016 made way for 2017, Leo switched to faded sides with loads of texture up top—the kind he’d likely spike up with some matte clay. It looked safer than British punk, but stylish nonetheless, and his hair’s since seen a good run of form that’s now culminated in his most understated, yet best haircut yet.

Last Saturday, yet another form of societal normalcy came back in La Liga soccer, Spain’s top flight for the sport. When Barcelona took the field against Mallorca, a refreshed and well-rested Messi marched out of his dressing room looking 10 years younger. He’s forgone the beard, yes, but it was the new hair that had us talking this weekend.

Messi’s latest hairstyle is a total departure of the mid-fade he’d worn up until last weekend. It’s not too long, nor is it that short. It has a part down the side, but a natural one, the kind that settles into place over time. It’s got good movement and air of elegance, but it’s demure enough to blend in anywhere. It’d be just at home on a James Bond villain as it would be on the guy next door to you. And like the Messi of late—the one who’s not so quiet and happy to accuse refs of fixing matches—it is, by design, a middle finger to what’s conventional, but in a polished way, and it struts the line between nerd and rebel.

It also says, “Yeah, I’ve been in lockdown for three wretched months and now I like this.”

And that’s the point here. We’re witnessing a new movement in men’s hair, the likes of which might never budge—the return to length. No, that doesn’t mean we’ll see guys looking like ‘90s wrestlers out there. It just means they’re trying cuts with more length, and going back to a time not so long ago when not every guy had a fade. And like we’ve said before, we love fades, so it’s not like that. But we also said long hair is underrated, and we stand by that.

A sharp mid-fade has its place, just like any other classic men’s cut.

And some guys suit fades more than this sort of style. Just ask your barber how the shape of a man’s face can dictate his choice in hairstyle.

It’s just nice to see some change, especially in men’s hair. We guys get a little too static with these things sometimes.

We know, we know, you’re thinking, “Nike should totally bring back that logo.” Image: Diario AS

If you want Messi’s new do, just tell your barber you want some length with a side part the next time you see them. And make sure to tell them you’re not looking for layers, but a cleaner, more uniformed cut that can be either slicked back or left au natural. Chances are they’ll clean things up around your neck line and take out some weight from top to bottom.

Give your lid a couple sprays when it’s half-dried post-shower, then gently work the product in with either your fingers or a quality comb. You’re done.

When it comes to a styling product, don’t look past a good old-fashioned grooming spray; it’ll give your locks some hold, but not so much that it looks like you tried. And at the same time it’ll keep bed head at bay when the wind hits harder than usual (but it wouldn’t hurt to keep a good comb in that jacket pocket).

And if you do go for something like this, good on you.

We’ve got a feeling change and champions go hand in hand.